|
|
| Subject: question of Richard |
|
|
|
you owe me.
Please explain this whacky US election system. What exactly are they deciding tonight in New Hampshire? And what is with that town of 16 voting at midnight??? and what is a Primary??
I have rarely cared about the process in the past but I think the outcome is so significant to the state of our world that I am a highly interested. Besides, I hate being confused and this has me VERY confused.
help me please.
[08-01-2008,22:48]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
|
(in reply to: question of Richard)
You got it, Sharon, will give my thoughts. You´ve always come through for us departed_Americans with our confusion of the Canadian system.
It´s whacky and useful at the same time. New Hampshire is the 2nd state to hold a primary election, after Iowa which was last week. In state primaries, voters vote within their party as to who they want to be their party´s presidential nominee. Kind of like your Liberal and Conservative Party conferences, where Dion was elected in the Liberal Party over Ray, Dryden, and Kennedy. But in U.S. primaries, the people of the state do the voting. Perhaps a bit more democratic.
Right now I´m really irritated, as it looks like Hillary might pull it out in New Hampshire, despite earlier polls showing Obama would win easily by double digits.
That 16 vote town thing was a rural community that was small enough for all 16 voters to vote at the same time just after midnight on election day.
In any event, Feb. 5 is super Tuesday, in which about 12 big and small states hold their primaries. That one will really decide who the nominees will be of the Republican and Democratric primaries.
You´ve got to tell us more in the future about the Candanian election system. I just learned about things like ridings and what the Governor-General´s role is. What´s whacky to me about the process up there is when elections actually occur. Seems like they happen on the whim of the ruling party.
I do like the yelling and heckling in Parliament, and reminds me a lot of the British Parliament, where it sometimes seems like a party. Much more of a debate than our Congress, where dull speeches are made with no one hardly there to listen except the TV cameras.
Hope this helped. Good to exchange views and share thoughts on this stuff.
[08-01-2008,23:54]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
we are exactly like the British system - remember we are a colony!
the advantage of the British system... if Harper had sent us off to war without full consent of parliament we could have defeated the government on another matter and forced an election. no 4 years of havoc making.
with this primary thing - does the winner for each party in New Hampshire get all the votes for that state at the party convention or is proportionate? Would Hillary walk away with all the democratic marbles????
I am shocked that Hillary is doing well tonight. Perhaps it was that big sad face.
[09-01-2008,00:21]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
yes we can!
OK. Canada is carved up into 308 electoral districts called Ridings. they are determined by a combination of geography and population. On election night there is a race between any number of parties for those 308 ridings. If one party can muster up 159 seats/ridings ... they can form a Majority government. We can function with 2 or 10 parties if need be. Ralph Nader would be leader of our Green Party.
Before each election that party will meet and determine who their leader will be if they are able to form a majority. That leader must win in their own electoral district/riding.
If nobody manages to secure 159 seats the highest score gets to form a minority government and must rely on cooperation from the others to pass legislation and keep things alive. This is the situation we are in now.
The Govenor General has no real power. She acts like a parent and oversees government business in a ceremonial capacity. It is a position of respect to our roots in a monarchy system.
I don´t like the yelling or heckling either. Very unprofessional but more political theatrics than anything.
Oh, she is so boring. (sorry, I can hear her in the background)
[09-01-2008,01:15]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
joke of the night -
Dick Cheney and George W. Bush are having breakfast together at the White House. The attractive staff asks Cheney what he would like, and he replies,"I´d like a bowl of oatmeal and some fruit."
"And what may I get for you, Mr. President?" George W looks up from his menu and replies with his trademark wink and slight grin, "How about a quickie this morning?"
"Why, Mr. President!" the woman exclaims, "How rude! You´re starting to act like President Clinton!" and storms away.
Cheney leans over to Bush and whispers... "It´s pronounced ´quiche.´"
[09-01-2008,02:13]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
Good one, will pass that on here. My political friends will love it.
I liked your point that you can force a change in governement anytime. Here we´re stuck for 4 years. Parlaimentary system really a lot more democratic. Look at the variety of parties and choices.
What seems quirky to me is the Canadian Senate. Unelected, and kind of there for some unknown reason. I think Canada tried so hard to model itself on the British system that it had to invent something similar to the House of Lords. Had to have an upper and lower house. Is the Senate going to be eliminated?
And I´m always amazed that there´s hardly a word in the news here in the States about anything happening in Canada, largest neighbors on the continent. CBC and CTV always had the latest from the U.S. I think its the conceit of a superpower to only be interested in itself.
[09-01-2008,15:21]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
LOL - yes, it is interesting that we know far more about the US than they know about Canada. That´s what happens when you think you are the center of the universe. actually, being next door to such a giant allows us to fly nicely under the radar.
as for our parliamentary system - we had it imposed on us rather than it being something we deliberately chose. That´s what happens when England decides they own you!
and the senate - yes, it is our useless House of Lords that is supposed to be the sober second look to the wild west antics of the house of parliament filled with drunks, gun slingers and opportunists. The senate is appointed and a real thorn in Harpers ass. He hates it. Elect the senate or abolish it- preferably abolish it. It is a waste of money, full of patronage appoinments, useless and ineffective. (now ask me how I really feel!)
[09-01-2008,17:20]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
Check out Rick Mercer Report regarding the Republican winner in IOWA and the #3 Republican last night in New Hampshire.
This Mike Huckabee could be a clone of George W. Bush or worse.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuyfmvnwoG8
GO TO EIGHT MINUTE POINT OF THE (YOUTUBE) VIDEO AND SEE A PRESIDENTIAL HOPEFULL WHO SHOULD KNOW ABOUT FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND HEAR WHAT HE SAYS.
GOD HELP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!! Please elligble voters think twice Mike Huckabee might find WMD in my hometown. LOL
Roy Kellogg
www.cvimmigration.com
[09-01-2008,19:13]
[**.55.216.73]
Roy |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
Didn´t Trudeau say that existing next to the USA is like a mouse lying next to an elephant. You have to be able to move out of the way quickly whenever the elephant moves.
Huckabee, yes what a phenonmenon. But you have to remember your history and demographics. The southern part of USA is Bible Belt. Born again evangalism is still the norm and Huckabee appeals strongly, being a Baptist preacher. But as Sharon would agree from earlier conversations, this obsession with religion should not be reflected in how one votes. Unfortunately in that part of the country, it is.
As you say, it could be dangerous if someone like this gets elected, which we´ve already seen with the current occupant. Let´s hope a Democrat make it this time.
Obama lost New Hamphire to Hillary by a slim margin. It´s now neck and neck between the two.
I´m just glad Canada has kept its sanity, humanity, and social progressivenes all these years, despite what´s been going on south of the border.
[09-01-2008,20:21]
[**.47.168.9]
Richard |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
without sounding disrespectful... you know the show ´what not to wear´? well, Canada has a quiet little show called ´what not to be´. Sometimes you see the wardrobe walking down the street and you say ´what on earth are they thinking´.
Now, please please please do not misunderstand that my comments are directed at individual citizens. It is the group think that makes me shudder. However I am seeing glimmers of wardrode enlightenment appearing and some clear embarassment from people when they look in the 360 mirror.
I recall the elephant line being attributed to Trudeau. He was Obama to Canadian politics. We have not had anyone like him since. Sad
[09-01-2008,20:36]
[***.121.220.199]
Sharon |
(in reply to: question of Richard)
LOL Sharon! That´s a great analogy: "What not to be".
Good conversation here as always.
[09-01-2008,20:40]
[**.72.65.164]
wannabecanadian |
|
